BuzzFla: Mengão on Father's Day
We remember some games on this special date for the Brazilian family
By Lucas Dantas - inThis Father's Day Sunday, attention returns to the Brasileirão, and Mengão has another decisive match ahead. It's a new clash against Cruzeiro, a game that could restore them to the top of the standings, and the Maracanã is expected to be packed. Less than 10 tickets remain to sell out.
Many fathers are sure to take their families to the stadium to celebrate the occasion by watching their favorite team take on another challenge. And it won't be the first time, nor the last, that Flamengo takes the field on this day. There have been several Father's Day matches throughout history, and in today's special, we'll be celebrating some of the victories on this occasion. Check out another BuzzFla.
1. Parents in the Hexa
We begin the list in the year of the Hexa, 2009. Flamengo vs. Corinthians, at the Maracanã, with over 47 fans in a tense, tight game that was decided by Adriano's goal in the 12th minute of the second half, putting him in the lead in the scoring charts. But it wasn't easy. The number 10 struggled to put the ball in the net. In the first half, he tried three times. In the second half, he missed more chances.
It was a curious move that finally got the ball in. Kleberson took a long-range shot, a shot that probably wouldn't have gone anywhere, but Adriano was in the way, controlled it, and fired it past Felipe. The only goal of the game, from the championship's star. The red-and-black parents had a happier Sunday than any other. And Cléber Machado recounted it this way.
2. That father from 1994
We flash back to 1986, when a young and promising striker from Bahia was showing off his skills to the world. And in 1986, Zico was already back, but he was still suffering from the consequences of Marcio Nunes's arrival the previous year and couldn't contribute much to the state championship campaign that year.
It was up to a young team with future talents that would serve Brazilian football very well in the following years to fight for the title.. In defense, Aldair, who would become one of the greatest defenders in world football of all time. The young right-back Jorginho had already made a name for himself at América and, with honor and merit, took over the position of the legendary Leandro, who was moved to defense. In the middle, Zinho was already starting to distribute dribbles and precise passes to Bebeto, the star forward.
The four helped Brazil win the 1994 World Cup, and no one forgets the moment Bebeto cheered his son Matheus on as he celebrated his goal against the Netherlands in the quarterfinals.
But on that August 10th, they faced Vasco. It was the third game of the State Championship final, and the first two had ended in draws. It was a best-of-four match, with Flamengo entering with a one-point advantage due to their better record. With the two draws, they reached the third game with three points and needing only one more to lift the trophy.
And it was in the 28th minute of the second half that Bebeto exploded the left side of the Maracanã stands. Bebeto received the ball from Marquinho and fired past Acácio. It was practically the winning goal, but Júlio Cesar Barbosa still scored another, in a glaring error by the Vasco goalkeeper, and sealed the victory. Father's Day, the Red-Blacks received their twenty-second Rio de Janeiro trophy as a gift. Check it out below with the unforgettable commentary by Januário de Oliveira.
3. Friendly holiday
Father's Day is a good time to play an international friendly too. And in 1988, 1990, 1993, and 1995, Flamengo traveled to play friendly tournaments and even lifted a few trophies to add to their trophy cabinet.
In 88, Flamengo and Huelva faced each other in Spain for the Torneio Colombino. The game ended in a 0-0 draw after ninety minutes and went into extra time. Aldair scored the winning goal for the team, which featured Zé Carlos, Jorginho, Edinho, Leonardo, Delacir, Luvanor, Zico, Alcindo, Bebeto, and Zinho.
In 1990, the trip was to the United States, competing in the Marlboro Cup in New Jersey. On August 12, the late Gaúcho scored the winning goal in a 1-0 victory over Alianza Lima of Peru at Giants Stadium with its Society Grass pitch. The title earned the trophy for the team, which also defeated the US national team in the first round.
Three years later, on August 08th, Flamengo traveled to Tunisia to face Club Esperance in a friendly during the off-season. Marcelinho Carioca scored the winning goal in a 1-0 victory over the team from the Tunisian capital.
And in 1995, the journey went even further. In Shenzhen, one of China's largest and most important cities, Mengão faced—and defeated—a combined Hong Kong-Shenzen team 3-2. Edmundo, Rodrigo Mendes, and Sávio scored the red-and-black goals in that match. Father's Day which fell on August 13th. Even from afar, Flamengo made a point of bringing joy to parents around the world.
4. Gaucho parents, bah!
If this Sunday's game is for the Brazilian Championship, let's remember a victory on this date and in this championship. In 2002, Flamengo traveled to Porto Alegre to face Internacional and thrashed the Colorado team from Rio Grande do Sul. An inspired Liédson overcame the opposing defense and scored twice, once in each half, to lead the 3-1 victory at Beira Rio.
Left-back Athirson also shone, providing the assists for the striker's two goals. It was a celebration for the Gaucho parents who went to Beira Rio and then must have thrown a barbecue, no doubt, to ward off the winter chill in Porto Alegre and celebrate the three points.
5. Brocador sending the letter to the parents
And to close, another classic. Fla-Flu, in 2013, at Maracanã. A great game to reopen Maracanã after renovations for the World Cup. And there was even a backheel goal on the afternoon show by Hernane Brocador and another beautiful goal by Elias.
Fluminense took the lead, but Elias, with a sensational run, equalized. Brocador turned the game around shortly after, with a beautiful backheel finish that beat goalkeeper Diego Cavalieri.
In the second half, Hernane scored again and paved his way to becoming the top scorer for the red-and-black team at Maracanã after the renovations. It was in Father's Day? Yes. Nothing beats a Fla-Flu victory to enjoy with your kids afterward. That's for the Flamengo-loving parents, of course. Check out the goals below.